Patrick Andrew Clemmons

Patrick Andrew Clemmons, age 20, of Little Rock, was found dead on the morning of January 6, 2011 at the apartment of a young man in downtown Little Rock. He was the victim of a likely heroin overdose. Somewhere between school and scouts, graphic arts and swimming, wrestling and the local music scene, Patrick picked up a bad habit that ultimately killed him. His drug problem has impacted our last three Christmas seasons, and this morning has cost us our beloved son. Patrick was born December 20, 1990 and had just turned 20 in rehab. We have been well pleased with his recent progress, but we knew he was at risk. He returned home Dec. 28, and after 77 days "clean", joined us for New Years Day with several of our friends. He had been putting in job applications and looking for a place to live. When he heard they were hiring at Victoria's Secret, he quit looking anywhere else. We last spoke to him yesterday afternoon. He declined to visit his counselor with his Mom but confirmed an appointment for today. Patrick attended Episcopal Collegiate School where he was a 2008 State Wrestling Champion in the 130 pound small school division, and had been the only member of the swim team. Swimming conditioned him to wrestle better than football conditioned his opponents. Patrick was a Commended National Merit Scholar. But he did not graduate as scheduled in 2009. Nevertheless, on the strength of his ACT scores, he received a sizable Dean's scholarship to UALR, but dropped out last fall when his difficulties with life began to worsen. Patrick earned his Eagle Scout at Troop 30 in 2004, which has been a big part of our lives since 1997. He had been a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and attended NOAC in 2004, had been to the National Jamboree in 2005, had been to Philmont in 2006. He had been successful as a young artist and won several awards, and spent a summer program at California College of the Arts in 2007. In 2008, he completed a 30 day program of winter-style backpacking at 10,000 feet in the Absoraka Wilderness with NOLS. 30 days in the snow with the same boots on. It is hard to imagine how a young person finds drugs despite all the time and effort we invest to protect them from drugs and push them back in the right direction. But Patrick began to experiment with marijuana, and soon moved to LSD, opiates, benzodiazepine, and the rest. We began to note changes in his behavior in 2007, but he worked especially hard to help himself during 2008, and 2009. He always had a job and stayed highly active during this time. However, 2010 had been particularly challenging for him and for us. He was a tower of will, but weak to temptation. He was bright and witty, but not smart enough sometimes. He was fearless and friendly, but too careless for comfort. He was thoughtful, when he thought things through, but often impulsive. He was like most of us, only different. He will always be our Eagle Scout wrestling champion, and will serve as an example of how the same life which offers us so much can sometimes touch us in a vulnerable spot. We pray God smiles on him today and wraps his arms around us, too. Patrick is predeceased by his grandfathers, Earl H. Clemmons Jr., and E. Ray Day, and Uncle John T. Haskins. Patrick is survived by his parents, Skip Clemmons, Susan Day and brother, Colin Clemmons. In addition, his Grandmothers, Bennye Clemmons of Little Rock, Ellen Day of Greensboro, N.C., Uncles Russell Day (Nancy Alex), Patrick Day (Jane) and Cousin Jolie Day all of Carrboro, N.C.. Cousin Olivia Day, of Denver, Colo., Aunt Evelyn Day of Chattanooga, Tenn., Uncle Neil Clemmons (Chris) and cousins, Alex and Shannon Clemmons of Wilmette, Ill.; Aunt Rose Gladner (Neal) of Little Rock; Aunt Jane Clemmons of SanFrancisco, Calif.; Aunt Heidi Haskins; cousins, Kelli and Blaine Buck of Malvern, Ark., Meaghan Gladner of New Orleans, La., Janet Gladner of Fayetteville, Ark. and a host of other relatives. Visitation will be held at Ruebel Funeral Home on Sunday, January 9, 2011 from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Rosary service to be held immediately following at 7 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 10th at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church with Father Erik Pohlmeier officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Boy Scouts of America Troop 30, c/o St Paul Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Rd., LR, Episcopal Collegiate School Foundation, 1701 Cantrell Road, LR, 72201, or Centers for Youth and Families, 5905 Forest Place, Suite 200, Little Rock, Ark. 72207. Cremation arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.